Cons

Breakfast is served at an off-site location (discount vouchers provided)

No children under 10 (a pro for some)

Bottom Line

The Lombardy is an upscale boutique right on the border between business-y Midtown East and the ritzy Upper East Side. All of its 154 rooms are privately owned, and have a strong apartment feel to them, with kitchenettes (suites have full kitchens), tons of space, and homey touches such as curated selections of books and seating areas. There’s a seafood restaurant, a great salon with spa treatments, and a small but well-equipped fitness center -- but the breakfast included in the nightly rate is actually a discount voucher for a nearby diner. Still, the hotel is a great pick both for business and leisure travelers.

Oyster Hotel Review

A high-end boutique popular with middle-aged couples, families, and business travelers

First built in 1926 as a gift from media mogul William Randolph Hearst for his mistress, and later turned into upscale apartments, the Lombardy is now a boutique hotel in a coveted location -- blocks from world-class shopping along Madison and Fifth avenues, and a short walk or subway ride from most major attractions. Its apartment-style rooms and suites (all featuring at least a kitchenette and a dining area) make it a solid option for extended stays, but the hotel is also great for those who want more space or the convenience of cooking facilities.

The hotel feels like an upscale Upper East Side apartment building, with a doorman always ready to open the door or flag down a cab for guests, and a small marble lobby with a couple of seating areas. Actually, in some ways, it is an apartment building -- all of its 154 rooms and suites are privately owned, each featuring unique decor and amenities. While its owners are away, the hotel management rents them out, and ensures all units meet the hotel standards. That means that while all rooms are different, they all have the same upscale amenities (flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, walk-in closets, and free Wi-Fi), plus a few unique extras.

The hotel features a fitness center, a great hair salon, meeting space, and a gourmet seafood restaurant by Notar Hospitality (known for managing Nobu). However, Harlow Restaurant is only open for dinner, and guests are given a discount coupon for breakfast at a nearby diner. Until the on-site cafe is ready, those who don’t feel like leaving the premises for a cup of coffee in the morning might want to stock up on food in their kitchens, which feature empty mini-fridges, sinks, microwaves, coffeemakers, and toasters. However, rooms vary, so guests are encouraged to contact the hotel for an exact description of their unit.

Located on East 56th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues, the Lombardy sits in the business-heavy Midtown East neighborhood, an area more known for its many skyscrapers than its nightlife. Many major New York attractions and some of the top boutiques in town are within easy walking distance, and there are tons of dining options in the streets around the hotel. The ritzy Upper East Side is just a couple of blocks north of the property, and offers quiet tree-lined streets, great restaurants, and world-class shopping.

In terms of subway transportation, eight lines (the 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, E and M) all sit within a four-block radius from the hotel.

30-minute drive to LaGuardia Airport

50-minute drive to John F. Kennedy Airport

50-minute drive to Newark Airport

8-minute walk to St. Patrick’s Cathedral

9-minute walk to Central Park

10-minute walk to Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

11-minute walk to Rockefeller Center

13-minute walk to the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station

18-minute walk to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library

20-minute walk to Times Square

18-minute subway ride to Metropolitan Museum of Art

13-minute subway ride to Union Square

14-minute subway ride to the Empire State Building

15-minute subway ride to Penn Station

17-minute subway ride to Flatiron Building

20-minute subway ride to the West Village and the Washington Square Park

The Lombardy offers 66 rooms and 88 one-and two-bedroom suites. Even the lowest category rooms are almost double the size of an average Manhattan hotel room, and suites offer up to 1,300 square feet of space. They’re all privately owned and feature individualized decor that ranges from upscale contemporary to stately. Most have marble bathrooms and foyers, at least a kitchenette, and modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. They’re all different, so those with specific needs might want to contact the hotel before booking.

Nico’s Salon & Spa is a renowned spot for a shave, a hairdo, and nail services. It also offers a few spa treatments, including massages and facials. Guests receive a 25 percent discount on all services.

Large one- and two-bedroom suites are great for families, but children under 10 are not accepted.

The hotel offers 88 one-and two-bedroom suites ranging from 900 to 1,300 square feet. All suites have full-size kitchens, a dining area that can seat at least four, and either one king bed or two queens. Some suites have an extra half bath. However, the hotel does not accept kids under 10.